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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Two Week Low Carb Bootcamp Bonanza Challenge! All welcome.

969 replies

BIWI · 16/07/2012 08:11

For those of us who have been here since the beginning, these are the last two weeks. And it seems like a good idea to finish with a couple of strict weeks, seeing as there has been a fair amount of slippage!

For anyone who wants to join - you are more than welcome! These two weeks will get you off to a great start if you are wanting to lose some weight.

So. Who wants to sign up for two weeks of strict Bootcamp? If you want to join/continue, put your name on the list and we can see who is there. We have a fabulous Spreadsheet of Marvellousness to track weight/weight loss, which I will also post a link to.

Here are the rules - for carnivores and then the veggie version:

The Carnivore Rules

1.Eat three, proper meals a day.
You must eat breakfast. It doesn?t have to be a lot, but you must have something. For the rest of the day, if you?re eating enough food and you are in ketosis then you shouldn?t be hungry. But if you are hungry, eat something. (Hard boiled eggs make a great snack)

2.Avoid processed food
Focus on pure, natural protein as the basis for your meals ? meat/fish/eggs. Things like sausages, ham, bacon, pre-prepared burgers etc should be avoided as much as possible. You can have them, but just not every day. Avoid foods marketed as low carb, e.g. Atkins Daybreak bars.

3.Eat lots of fat.
Eating fat helps you to burn fat. Honestly! Fry in butter, add butter to vegetables, eat salad with a home-made vinaigrette dressing (not made with balsamic vinegar though, as this is too sweet), add mayonnaise where you can (just check the carb count on your mayo first). Eat fattier cuts of meat ? e.g. pork belly, roast chicken with the skin on and/or eat the fat off your lamb chops. Absolutely no low fat/light foods of any kind!

4.Make sure you are eating vegetables and salads with your food ?
This is where your carbs should come from, and this is non-negotiable. But choose only those vegetables that are on the allowed list. You don?t have to weigh/count carbs ? this is one of the great joys of this WOE (way of eating), but if you?re new to low carbing it can be helpful to weigh your portions of veg in the early days, just so that you know how many carbs are in the sort of portions that you like to eat

*5.Be careful about dairy (apart from butter, which is unlimited). It can impede weight loss for some people. If you are still drinking tea/coffee with milk or cream, try to restrict yourself to max 2 cups per day. You may eat cheese, but don't overdo it. Full fat yoghurt is the best way to include dairy in your diet - but beware, it does contain carbs. Total Full Fat is the best.

6.You must drink a minimum of 2 litres of water per day.
The more weight you have to lose, the more water you should drink.

7.No alcohol
If you really can't do this - at least try and restrict it to the weekend. Vodka with soda is the best thing to drink. Or Champagne, red wine or dry white wine.

8.No fruit
Really. Seriously. Honestly. None at all. Zilch. Nada.

9.No nuts/seeds
Whilst these are really good to snack on later - it can be too easy to start snacking on these - and before you know it, all your carbs have gone on nuts. Seriously - in bootcamp - don't do it to yourself.

10.No sugar or artificial sweeteners

Allowed veg

Don?t eat any veg unless it?s on this list, and try and focus on eating those that are under 3g carbs per 100g:

Veg (raw)Carbs per 100g
Mushrooms0.4
Watercress0.4
Spinach0.8
Celery0.9
Broccoli1.1
Asparagus 1.4
Cucumber1.5
Lettuce1.7
Fennel1.8
Courgettes1.8
Cauliflower1.9
Avocado flesh1.9
Turnip2
Pumpkin2.2
Runner beans2.3
Swede2.3
Celeriac2.3
Bean sprouts2.5
Green pepper2.6
Baby sweetcorn2.7 (there is some debate about this - carb counts seem to vary according to variety and where you buy from - check the packet to be sure)
Aubergine2.8
Leeks2.9
Okra3
Tomato3.1
Mangetout3.3
Shallots3.3
Brussels sprouts3.5
French beans4.7
Cabbage5
Yellow pepper5.3
Carrots6
Orange or red pepper6.4
Ginger (peeled)7.2
Butternut squash7.5
Onions7.9

Veggie Rules

Only slightly adapted from BIWI's but best to take notice of the changes if you're vegetarian.

1.Eat three, proper meals a day.
You must eat breakfast. It doesn?t have to be a lot, but you must have something. For the rest of the day, if you?re eating enough food and you are in ketosis then you shouldn?t be hungry. But if you are hungry, eat something. (Hard boiled eggs make a great snack)

2.Avoid processed food
Focus on pure, natural ingredients as the basis for your meals. Vegetarian Sausages and Burgers are ok in small quantities, but check the carb count as some can be very high. Avoid foods marketed as 'Low Carb' such as Atkins Daybreak Bars, etc.

3.Eat lots of fat.
Eating fat helps you to burn fat. Honestly! Fry in butter, add butter to vegetables, eat salad with a home-made vinaigrette dressing (not made with balsamic vinegar though, as this is too sweet), add mayonnaise where you can (just check the carb count on your mayo first). Absolutely no low fat/light foods of any kind!

4.Make sure you are eating plenty of vegetables and salads with your food ?
This is where most of your carbs should come from, and this is non-negotiable. But choose only those vegetables that are on the allowed list. You don?t have to weigh/count carbs ? this is one of the great joys of this WOE (way of eating), but if you?re new to low carbing it can be helpful to weigh your portions of veg in the early days, just so that you know how many carbs are in the sort of portions that you like to eat

5.Be careful about dairy (apart from butter, which is unlimited). It can impede weight loss for some people. If you are still drinking tea/coffee with milk or cream, try to restrict yourself to max 2 cups per day. You may eat cheese, but don't overdo it. Full fat yoghurt is the best way to include dairy in your diet - but beware, it does contain carbs. Total Full Fat is the best.

6.You must drink a minimum of 2 litres of water per day.
The more weight you have to lose, the more water you should drink

7.No alcohol
If you really can't do this - at least try and restrict it to the weekend. Vodka with soda is the best thing to drink. Or Champagne, red wine or dry white wine.

8.No fruit
Really. Seriously. Honestly. None at all. Zilch. Nada.

9.Beware of Nuts and Seeds.
Nuts are a very good way to include more fat and protein in your diet, however some are very high carb (e.g. Cashews). Stick to small amounts of Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Dried Coconut, Walnuts, Seeds and Peanut Butter, but check the ingredients, many supermarket brands have sugar added.

10.No sugar or artificial sweeteners

OP posts:
sassytheFIRST · 23/07/2012 20:21

Think I'm the fattest here at 11 8Grin getting into the swing of it now tho think I'm starting with carb withdrawal headache - lasts about 2 days from memory. Tired as well. No desire for biscuits / bread tho so that's good news.

Whippoorwhill · 23/07/2012 20:28

Nah, I'm fatter, 11, 11. I've just chickened out of the spread sheet. Grin

Sounds like you are hitting ketosis. Well done. It's all plain sailing from here. Honest!

toysoldiers · 23/07/2012 20:30

And me. 13st 2lb last week

Racing snake this week obviously Grin

mummyduff · 23/07/2012 20:35

Thegoddessblossom its does feel good especially as this time 3 years ago I was around the 13stone markBlush and I'm only 5ft 3inch. Its been a long old slog!

God I'm thirsty today, must be all the sunbathing I'm doing in Costa Del Back GardenGrin

BIWI · 23/07/2012 20:46

Lorelilee - a couple of things leap out at me. First, you're eating a lot of dairy - cream cheese and Boursin and Feta as well as cream.

Second, you're eating a lot of processed meat/fish - smoked salmon, gammon, ham - there's a lot of salt in those, which could be encouraging water retention

... and what's in those sandwich fillers?!

Third, you're not eating much veg. The majority of your carbs should be coming from veg/salad..

You need to think about fresh/pure and unprocessed meat/fish forming the main part of your diet, with more veg - spinach, broccoli, cauliflower are all great and low carb.

OP posts:
Whippoorwhill · 23/07/2012 20:47

I started at dead on 14 stone and I'm only 5 feet tall. I really was as wide as I was tall.

LeB0F · 23/07/2012 20:57

That's interesting about the carb withdrawal headache- I have had headaches a couple of times the last few days, almost a week into this, and I don't usually get headaches (of the non-hangover variety anyway). Is that what it is then? And it could be a sign of going into ketosis? I hope so.

BIWI · 23/07/2012 21:00

It could well be, LeBOF. It won't last long - take painkillers rather than suffer!

OP posts:
LeB0F · 23/07/2012 21:04

Yes, I've just had a couple of solpadeine, so hopefully it will shift. A small price for my diminishing girth Grin

HumphreyCobbler · 23/07/2012 21:31

Hello everyone. have been sticking to it all really well until yesterday when I ate a sandwich and a slice of cake Shock after drinking a glass of wine.

It tasted rubbish too. Back on the wagon today.

toysoldiers · 23/07/2012 21:35

Checking in for today

B- 2 slices of ham as that was all there was in the house
L - broccoli and Stilton soup
D- Moroccan chicken thighs and ratatouille. DH and DC had couscous too.

Snack- a few almonds.

LeBOF - my headache was awful. I had a cup of tea, some Paracetemol and a cup of vegetable bouillon (Swiss Marigold). One of these things helped - not sure which Wink

All these has made me think about DCs' diet too. I have two very active boys who are thin as whippets and constantly eating. Their diet (as ours was) is very carb heavy. All snacks are bread based (bagels, crumpets) and DS1 in particular suffers from mood swings.

Have been slathering butter on their toast instead of scraping plus jam, and stocking up on Babybel. They definitely needs more fats in their diet. DS1 quite anti-protein and will always leave his meat behind given half the chance.

Lorelilee · 23/07/2012 21:45

Thanks BIWI, I'll try and get back to basics.

Thegoddessblossom · 23/07/2012 21:51

Toy soldiers - same here. I'm particularly conscious of what I am feeding my boys at the moment as for the next three weeks they are both having lunch boxes at camp.

Previous lunchbox would have been:

Sandwich, brown bread, pâté with salad or ham and salad and mayo
Apple or orange juice carton
Container filled with berries
Apple or banana
Choc biscuit
Crisps
Baby bel
Yoghurt

I've now swapped one of the fruit options and added chicken or cold sausages. And not put in a carton of drink as they have a bottle of watery squash as well, and left out the choccie biscuit. So not a massive change but I am conscious of it. Am going to buy some more low carb snack things to put in.

Also their teas - tonight they had salmon with stir fried leeks and courgettes which they both devoured. Tomorrow will be BBQ. Wednesday they are having spag Bol with broccoli. Have bought low carb high quality sausages and burgers for other nights, all to be served with veg, although I don't mind them having. Burger buns etc. I can't imagine serving them pasta tbh now that I know what is basically is! I'm not going to be a nazi about it, no one else will probably even notice......

Whippoorwhill · 23/07/2012 22:05

Both my boys actually asked to go completely low carb during their GCSE's and A Levels because they liked how calm and alert it made them feel! The youngest, who has Aspergers and ADHD, is moving towards low carbing permanently. I think when his brother (hopefully) goes to Uni he will eat the same as us. It's only the oldest bringing home bready items and sweets that gets him eating junk these days. He used to be really bad raiding the cupboards and binging but that has calmed right down.

If you've got younger children then this book is lovely. paleoparents.com/eat-like-a-dinosaur/eat-like-a-dinosaur-what-and-why/

sybilfaulty · 24/07/2012 08:20

That.s really interesting about the mood swings for children. My dd1 is only 7 but can be very moody and doesn't sleep well. I am going to up her protein and fat to see if thathelps. I too am making packed lunches for a dance workshop this week so I am going to cook some sausages for the box to see if that helps.

Last night I had chicken, blue cheese and salad. Lots of water. Aparagus and egg thing for lunch. Gorgeous. Am loving food right now.

Have a great day. It's looking like a scorcher here. Resisting the ice lollies! Stay cool and shady folks

Thegoddessblossom · 24/07/2012 08:39

9 3. Going in the right direction again. am all inspired by mummy duff and the other losers and determined to see 8 something. Haven't for years and years. Can't exercise much this week unfortunately.

B: 3 egg smoked salmon omelette.

mummyduff · 24/07/2012 08:40

Morning all, its really hot and sunny here againGrin

I'm really interested too in the mood swings with children my DS1(who is 10 btw) is dreadful at the moment, been putting it down to his age!! Think I will also increase his protein intake, I had been cutting his bread etc down already.

Boiled egg for my breakfast today.

Hope everyone has fantastic sunny daysSmile

mummyduff · 24/07/2012 08:42

goddess 9.3 is great well done, I also cant exercise much now the schools are outSad

BIWI · 24/07/2012 08:44

I've always known, since he was teeny tiny, that DS2 doesn't function well when he's hungry. And as we now know that hormones are responsible for hunger, it makes sense that what they eat/don't eat would have an influence on them and their moods.

I'd like to change the family's diet, but as they are all now much more independent (DC are 20 and 17), it's a bit more difficult. I am alarmed, though, by how much carby stuff DS2 especially is eating - even if I don't buy stuff like crisps/biscuits (which I do - for the rest of them), he goes and buys sweets/drinks etc. But he is like a drainpipe!

I've started to cook more meals without a carbohydrate component now, just adding a different vegetable or salad - and that has gone down well. Everyone is a good eater in this house, and so as long as there is stuff on the plates that they like I don't think they notice if there isn't any potato or rice or pasta. (Unless I gave them a plate of bolognese sauce without the spaghetti, obviously!)

OP posts:
Jins · 24/07/2012 08:53

I used to smile to myself when friends told me the colour in drinks made their kids hyperactive. I think it's far more likely to be the sugar. 7 spoonfuls in a can of coke or fanta!

Shimbo · 24/07/2012 09:18

Good morning and what a lovely sunny morning it is Grin.

I cooked pork belly slices last night (Lidl) and although I enjoyed them DH asked if we can not have them again as they were tooo greasy tasting - which they were but funny how you can actually develop a taste for fat when LCing whereas before I would not have been able to eat them!

Well I think I am going to exit with a hundred Thanks for BIWI and all my fellow Bootcampers. I have been doing mostly Bootcamp Light for almost 10 weeks and have really enjoyed my eating and the effects. I ventured upon this WOE more to help my health and cravings, with the hope of losing a little belly fat. I have lost a total of 4.5kg very slowly and steadily, am now 51.2 kg which I don't think I've been since I was a teenager, have a flat stomach minus love handles and have to stop now as I think as I am in danger of becoming scraggy.

The thing that worries me is I have no taste for carbs now! I am going to have to start slowly adding them in, think I will start with some berries and other fruit.

Good luck everyone - have a good week! I won't be able to stay away from this thread as you're all such a lovely lot Smile.

mummyduff · 24/07/2012 09:24

Shimbo well done you have done greatSmile bet you feel fantastic x

MyLifeIsStillChaotic · 24/07/2012 09:26

9st 11lbs this morning. It's the first time I've weighed myself in a while and was pretty pleased I have to say :)

Whippoorwhill · 24/07/2012 09:27

We've always had to be careful about the youngest. Too much sugar and he's gabbling and bouncing off the walls, add colours to that sugar and the effect doubles. It was fun when he was in Primary school and they'd randomly give brightly coloured sweets as rewards, despite being asked not to.

cryhavoc · 24/07/2012 09:31

Morning everyone. Day 7 for me, weighing tomorrow.

B. Smoked salmon, half an avocado.

I just did level 2 of the 30 Day Shred (with 4yo DD bouncing helpfully alongside me). One of my concerns was that I wouldn't be able to exercise as effectively if low carbing, but that hasn't been the case at all.

Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine.